Pictures courtesy of Matichon

The former deputy interior minister Dech-it Khaothong has clarified public concerns over a sharply angled running track at Padang Besar Municipality Sports Stadium, saying it was never intended for athletics competition and poses no danger if used as designed. The explanation followed widespread online criticism after inspections revealed the track did not meet standard specifications, raising safety questions among residents.

The issue emerged after Padang Besar Municipality in Sadao district, Songkhla province, inspected the stadium ahead of formal handover following the completion of construction. Officials found the running track had abrupt corners rather than standard curves, prompting social media users to question whether it breached the approved design and could endanger users.

On 7 January 2026, Dech-it, a former deputy interior minister and former mayor of Padang Besar Municipality, posted a video statement on his Facebook page “นายเดชอิศม์ ขาวทอง นายกชาย” to explain the decision-making behind the project. He said that two years earlier, the municipality lacked its own sports ground and had been forced to use privately owned land, which could not be upgraded to standard due to uncertainty over future access.

Dech-it explained that the then mayor, Atthaphon Phrommun, requested budget support after the municipality secured its own land. At the same time, Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) president Phayen Maksuwan was pursuing a policy of building one standard sports stadium per district, but Sadao district had already been allocated a facility in Sadao Municipality.

He said funding originally intended for a stadium in Rattaphum district was redirected to Padang Besar after the Rattaphum site could not be handed over in time. Padang Besar was prioritised due to its proximity to the Malaysian border, where a standard football pitch could support cross-border sporting events between Thailand and Malaysia.

According to Dech-it, the available land was sufficient for a standard football field but too limited to accommodate a regulation athletics track. As a result, the project focused on the football stadium, while the running track was added only as a supplementary feature for walking and general exercise, not for competitive athletics.

Matichon reported that he stressed that the track was “a free extra” and not designed for hosting athletics competitions, adding that cross border football matches could be held at the venue. Dech-it noted that the stadium has not yet been officially handed over and that the municipality can later modify the track to make the curves smoother if required.

Key Takeaways

• The running track at Padang Besar stadium was designed for exercise, not athletics competition.

• Limited land meant priority was given to building a standard football pitch.

• Authorities say the track can be modified after official handover.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-08

 

 

From that picture of all those guys with burgeoning bellies, I would bet my bottom dollar not a ONE of them ever ran on an actual track.

44 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

From that picture of all those guys with burgeoning bellies, I would bet my bottom dollar not a ONE of them ever ran on an actual track.

That's why it's for walking off a good lunch only.

A running track not made for athletes.. for what than? waste of money.... The designer or constructor never have seen a running track?? Brains of a chicken... and thanto safe face dare to say that it is no danger if it is used....of course not you can't run around you have to run in squares

Very strange opinions about an exercise border to a sports field ! The only feature that makes it appear senseless is the lane markings.

I know of a similar setup that borders an urban water reservoir that is used daily as a walking and jogging track. Similar hard surfacing but minus lanes.

The questions about the format were answered adequately. Would ever so clever critics prefer an oval football pitch ?

Not stupid Thais, just ignorant critics!

So the square "running / exercise" track was a freebie? Check the budget to see if really was - bet it wasn't free

A post with a derogatory trolling comment toward Thai people has been removed:

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Because of savety reasons, at least they could put signs infront the 4 corners "sharpe curve ahead"!

Post containing a blind link removed

This is inside the box thinking.

On 1/8/2026 at 6:24 AM, ikke1959 said:

A running track not made for athletes.. for what than? waste of money.... The designer or constructor never have seen a running track?? Brains of a chicken... and thanto safe face dare to say that it is no danger if it is used....of course not you can't run around you have to run in squares

It does say this:

“while the running track was added only as a supplementary feature for walking and general exercise, not for competitive athletics.”

They also say that it was free.

Whether any of these statements are actually true is hard to say.

designers must have graduated from the same vocational school

TIT !!! Ya got to believe!

On 1/8/2026 at 6:24 AM, ikke1959 said:

A running track not made for athletes.. for what than? waste of money.... The designer or constructor never have seen a running track?? Brains of a chicken... and thanto safe face dare to say that it is no danger if it is used....of course not you can't run around you have to run in squares

Thailand 2026... lets hope they never bid for the Olympic games.

...A 'Bonus'...Or...A 'B*ne'...(?)

...A Travesty By Any Other Name...(?)

...Hope The International Community Doesn't Hear About This...(?)

Even if the track was free why make it square.

Same municipal crap that is found everywhere, "Sheep leading sheep".

Sounds like face saving BS to me. But at least the guy who was continually shouting “ green side up” can reflect on his success on how good the turf looks!

This time the right angle is the wrong angle.

Talk about losing face😂. It can be modified later to make the corners curvy he says. Well it means it could’ve been made curvy in the first place therefore his claim that it wasn’t possible fails. Fool🤣